In recent years, many major cities in Australia and around the world have found themselves with a bit of a space problem. It’s no surprise, then, that people have fallen in love with small scale pools. Choosing a small pool over a full sized pool enables homeowners who might not otherwise have the space for a private swimming pool to enjoy that luxury in the privacy of their own home. Lap cannot really be classified as small pools, however, thanks to their smaller width, they are suitable for narrow blocks.
Have you ever heard of a lap pool and wondered what all the fuss was about? In this article, we’ll discuss all the features of lap pools and just what makes them so popular with modern consumers.
About lap pools
A logical starting point is to simply address a very common question: What is a lap pool? Essentially, lap pools are large pools designed specifically to be used for swimming laps for fitness and health purposes. Though they certainly can be used for other activities as well, lap pools are set up to encourage swimming laps rather than casual splashing around. They are typically long and rectangular in shape and vary in length. Our Fastlane Lap Pool, which is one of our most popular lap pool designs, comes in standard sizing of 10.3 metres and 12.3 metres. However, it includes the option for custom sizing up to 30 metres.
The width of a lap pool also varies, though most include space for between one and three swimming lanes. The Fastlane, for comparison, measures 2.78 metres wide. Lap pools also vary greatly in depth. While some prefer a shallower pool that’s easy to climb in and out of, others prefer the experience of diving deep into their lap pool. Simply put, a lap pool can be almost anything you want it to be.
How are lap pools created?
Like regular swimming pools, lap pools can be constructed from a number of different materials. The two most popular by far are the concrete lap pool and the fibreglass lap pool.
Fibreglass lap pools are prefabricated and delivered to your home as a complete unit. You then have the option of having your lap pool installed in the ground or above ground. If you go with above ground, your project is almost complete once the pool is delivered. You simply need to designate a spot for your pool, then work with the pool builders to design and construct a support system around your new pool. Completing this last step is important, as you’ll want a deck or other weight-bearing structure to help support the weight of the water and people in the lap pool once it’s in use.
If you choose to have your fibreglass lap pool installed in the ground, your pool builders will need to excavate part of your yard. Depending on the size of the pool and the difficulty of your property, this excavation process can take up to several days. Once the groundwork has been completed, the prefabricated fibreglass lap pool can be installed in the ground and recovered. While the in-ground installation process definitely takes longer and is substantially more expensive, many pool owners feel that these sacrifices are worth it. In-ground lap pools offer a notoriously sleek, lovely appearance that’s sure to highlight your property and notably increase the value of your home.
Concrete pools are installed via a similar process to in-ground fibreglass pools. Like in-ground fibreglass pools, in-ground concrete pools also require excavation. However, concrete pools are built on site, specifically tailored to your plans for your pool. While this process allows for more customisation, it also makes the installation process take quite a lot longer. A concrete pool installation can take up to several weeks and is, accordingly, drastically more expensive than a fibreglass pool.
Can I get a good workout in a lap pool?
Definitely! Lap pools are intentionally designed to provide an appropriate space for athletic swimming. And what can be better than jumping into your new lap pool when you just returned from a hairdresser 🙂 Especially considering that you can personalise the length of the pool based on your personal preferences, lap pools are an awesome way to get in a great workout at home. If you prefer to recover from your workout in the privacy of home as well, you can even plan to have an accompanying spa installed adjacent or nearby to your lap pool. This combo of lap pool and spa allows you to really push your muscles, get in a great workout, and then enjoy some hydrotherapy immediately after.
Lap pool advantages and disadvantages
Lap pools have tons of advantages. For starters, they take up way less space than traditional swimming pools. This means you can enjoy the experience of working out in your own private pool without having to give up your entire back yard space. Lap pools are extremely aesthetically pleasing. Especially when it comes to in-ground models, your lap pool will bring a new level of sophistication and luxury to your property. This also means that your lap pool can increase your property value. Especially in areas like Nowra where the climate tends to be extremely hot, future prospective home buyers will love the idea of having their own private backyard oasis to workout and relax away from the heat.
Of course, like anything, lap pools also have some disadvantages. If you’ve really got your heart set on a large, full-size pool, you may find yourself unhappy with the limited space that a lap pool offers. While families could potentially use a lap pool for water games or simple lounging, lap pools aren’t really practical for full family swims. Lap pool prices are also roughly the same as regular swimming pools, so you’re spending a very similar amount of money but will have a much smaller pool to show for it.
Alternatives to lap pools
Though we at Nowra Local Pools & Spas do love a good lap pool, there are dozens of alternatives to lap pools as well. If you’re looking for a smaller but wider pool, plunge pools, infinity pools, or swim spas might provide the experience you’re looking for. Please reach out to us if you have questions about lap pools or any of these proposed alternatives.
Features of lap pools
In addition to being carefully designed to encourage swimming for fitness and health, lap pools come with the potential for other interesting features as well. For starters, lap pools are highly customisable. Most companies who produce fibreglass lap pools offer pools in a variety of sizes and colours.
Most pool builders also offer the option to turn your lap pool into a smart lap pool. Simply put, the difference between a regular lap pool and a smart lap pool is automation. By automating different components of the lap pool maintenance process, pool builders can offer automation options to help you free up your time and save money. Features that are frequently automated include pool cleaning systems, pool lighting, pool heating, pool pumps, salt chlorination systems, and central management systems.
If you do go with a smart lap pool, you may be excited to learn that many smart lap pool management systems allow for integration with Google Home or Amazon Echo. If you own one of these devices, you can sync up almost every component of your pool to be controlled by voice via your smart home system. This kind of cutting edge technology is what you can expect from reputable pool builders. A professional pool builder should always include free upgrades to technology if you purchase a smart lap pool to ensure that you can continue enjoying your smart lap pool for years, no matter what happens on the horizon of technology.
While smart lap pools do cost more than regular lap pools based on the increased technology involved in their design, choosing a smart pool can save you tons of time and money. If you’d rather swim a few extra laps than worry about scrubbing algae off the side of your lap pool, consider the extra splurge on smart automation an investment in your own time. Smart automation technology will also save you money on your energy bills and pool chemicals, so you will be free to enjoy your lap pool with no need to stress about the environmental or financial impact of your entertainment.
More information about lap pools & lap pool alternatives
If you’re interested in learning more about our lap pools or any of the lap pool alternatives we mentioned earlier in this article, we would love to talk with you. We have a variety of lap pools for sale appropriate for almost any budget. Please contact our team at Nowra Local Pools & Spas. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions and advise you on how to move forward with your pool ownership plans.
